Castello della Sala CONTE della VIPERA Umbria IGT Region: Umbria, Italy Grape Varieties: 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon Vintage: 2013 Alcohol: 13.5% Closure: Cork Castello della Sala CONTE della VIPERA Umbria IGT Producer Niccolò Antinori bought the fourteenth-century Castello della Sala in 1940, to provide a source of white wines to match the excellence of his Tuscan reds. With the introduction of Cervaro della Sala in 1987, his dream was fully realised: this is one of Italy’s defining whites, as influential and sought after as Tignanello. The vineyards are planted with a mixture of traditional Italian and international varieties, offering a range of wines from the traditional Orvieto to the mould-breaking IGTs. History The wine takes its name from the first proprietors of the Castello della Sala, and the label carriea a design which shows the fifteenth century Saint John Chapel, located on the property. The first vintage of Conte della Vipera to be produced was the 1997. Winemaking The vineyards are located at 250-350 meters above sea level. The vines are planted on soils rich in sediments of marine fossils interspersed with layered veins of clay which give the wines a savory mineral character. The decision to begin the picking of the Sauvignon Blanc was taken on the basis of the rapport between sugar concentration and the maximum expression of varietal aromas and flavors. The grapes were picked by hand, brought immediately to the cellars, and chilled by means of a refrigerated conveyor belt, an operation which lowered temperatures before pressing in order to preserve the integrity of the varietal aromas. After a soft pressing, the must remained at a temperature of 10° C to favor a natural settling of impurities. The must then went into stainless steel tanks where it fermented at temperatures held to a peak of 16° C. The fermented wine remained at temperatures of approximately 10° C to block the malolactic fermentation and conserve to the maximum possible extent its varietal character and personality. The Sémillon was then blended into the Sauvignon Blanc to give further savor and amplitude to the wine. Taste A light yellow in color with greenish highlights, the wines shows fruity and varietal aromas with pleasurable notes of citrus fruit along with white peaches and lichees. The palate is characterful and structured with a vibrant vein of acidity which adds freshness to the flavors. The finish and aftertaste are long and balanced.

Castello della Sala CONTE della VIPERA Umbria IGT Region: Umbria, Italy Grape Variety: 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon Vintage: 2013 Alcohol: 13.5% Closure: Cork Castello della Sala CONTE della VIPERA Umbria IGT The beautiful weather which characterized the entire period of harvesting allowed for careful and systematic selection of the best and most perfectly ripened grape bunches. The Sauvignon Blanc harvest took place during the final days of August and the beginning of September, while the Chardonnay began during the second half of August. Winemaking The vineyards whose grapes are utilized for Conte della Vipera are located at 250-350 meters above sea level. The vines are planted on soils rich in sediments of marine fossils interspersed with layered veins of clay which give the wines a savory mineral character. The decision to begin the picking of the Sauvignon Blanc was taken on the basis of the rapport between sugar concentration and the maximum expression of varietal aromas and flavors. The grapes were picked by hand, brought immediately to the cellars, and chilled by means of a refrigerated conveyor belt, an operation which lowered temperatures before pressing in order to preserve the integrity of the varietal aromas. After a soft pressing, the must remained at a temperature of 10° C to favor a natural settling of impurities. The must then went into stainless steel tanks where it fermented at temperatures held to a peak of 16° C. The fermented wine remained at temperatures of approximately 10° C to block the malolactic fermentation and conserve to the maximum possible extent its varietal character and personality. The Sémillon was then blended into the Sauvignon Blanc to give further savor and amplitude to the wine. Producer Niccolò Antinori bought the fourteenth-century Castello della Sala in 1940, to provide a source of white wines to match the excellence of his Tuscan reds. With the introduction of Cervaro della Sala in 1987, his dream was fully realised: this is one of Italy’s defining whites, as influential and sought after as Tignanello. The vineyards are planted with a mixture of traditional Italian and international varieties, offering a range of wines from the traditional Orvieto to the mould-breaking IGTs. Vineyard The winter, which was rather mild, was followed by a spring with intense precipitation, which was, in turn, followed by a summer with beautiful weather. This climatic progression led to a very interesting harvest, which began with the picking of the first varietals around the end of August and ended with the last varietals at the beginning of October. Taste A light yellow in color with greenish highlights, the wines shows fruity and varietal aromas with pleasurable notes of citrus fruit along with white peaches and lichees. The palate is characterful and structured with a vibrant vein of acidity which adds freshness to the flavors. The finish and aftertaste are long and balanced..